My children spend hours playing and exploring our backyard. They frequently are covered from head-to-toe in mud from making “delicious” mud pies and from digging up muddy treasures.
The other day my daughter ran inside with a huge, proud smile plastered across her face and said, “Mama! Look at this beautiful leaf and this shiny rock I found! They are for you!”
I graciously accepted her precious gifts and I acted as if she had brought me rare gems. To the everyday person she brought me a dirty stone and a dingy bug-eaten leaf, but to her it was a truly marvelous find.
It might seem strange to celebrate such an odd gift; however, she cheerfully gave me her most precious possessions. Instead of stashing these items away for herself she chose to give them to me, and she was more than happy to do that. That dirty little white rock and the leaf were some of the sweetest gifts I have received. As a five-year-old she doesn’t have a whole lot of gifts to give, and she selflessly chose me to be the lucky new owner of these prized possessions.
It is so important to encourage our children to be cheerful givers. I want my children to grow up and continue to see the importance of happily giving to others, whether that be money, time, or using their God-given gifts. How much more special is a gift when it is given cheerfully rather than out of pure obligation? That is why I will continue to make a special point to celebrate the simple treasures they bring me.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
I encourage you to relish and celebrate your children’s little treasures and gifts! What are some ways that you help your children continue to develop into cheerful givers?
“Never forget the mundane can lead to the miraculous!”~Beth Moore
I stumbled across this quote while doing my daily bible study in my favorite Beth Moore book, A Heart Like His.
This quote particularly struck a chord with me. How easy is it to get stuck in the daily grind of life? I frequently feel as if I am waiting for the miraculous to come, and I get bogged down by my everyday routines and tasks.
I know that God uses what may seem “mundane” to us for His bigger purpose. As a wife and mother I can easily find myself getting discouraged as I do seemingly unimportant tasks all day long. Laundry, dishes, and temper tantrums never seem to end. However, I know when I look at the bigger picture that my daily life is helping to mold and guide my three young children into loyal followers of Christ. Now that, my friends, is truly miraculous!
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colosians 3:17
Let God work in your life to turn your mundane into His miraculous!
Last weekend, I had the complete joy of attending Women of Faith in Oklahoma City. I had never attended an event like this before, so I wasn’t completely sure what the weekend would hold for me. I figured the event would be full of great speakers, and I assumed I would walk away learning something here and there. However, what I didn’t expect was to walk away feeling refreshed and renewed in my walk with God.
The music was beautiful, and it was so awesome to praise God with so many other women. The first night, Sandi Patty and her family performed, and it was amazing. Their beautiful voices combined with their love for God gave me goosebumps. On the second day, Building 429 performed and their performance was fun and inspiring.
The ladies of Women of Faith all have a way of using humor mixed with their past trials and pains to bring glory to God. Every lady who spoke made me laugh hysterically and then turn around and ugly-cry ten minutes later. Their powerful stories grew my faith in God and reminded me of the overwhelming love that He has for me.
The first night, Sheila Walsh discussed the pain that she had been through in her life, which ultimately led to being admitted to a psych ward. Through her trials, she learned that God is near to the brokenhearted. What a powerful message from a powerful woman!
Jen Hatmaker discussed how we are God’s loved children, and that was a message that I needed to hear. I find it is so easy to question God’s love; however, I left Women of Faith feeling reassured of God’s grace and also of the love He has for me.
If Women of Faith is coming to a city near you, gather your girlfriends and GO! Believe me, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to hear their farewell tour. I can guarantee that you will leave a changed person.
Use coupon code BR20 to get $20 off your ticket!
Have you ever been to Women of Faith?
Use hashtag #CaGDatWomenofFaith so we can see your pictures!
It wasn’t until I became a mom that this verse really meant something to me. Like most moms, I worry and plan and plan and worry. My pastor once said, “The worries people carry on their backs feel like lead, but in reality they are light as feathers.” When our priority is to seek after our heavenly Father, how could our troubles be anything but light as air? This is the lens by which I view my life now. For every question that pops up, I start my day with Him, and delight in the promise of this verse.
~Dacia H.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
We want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Send your favorite verse and 5-10 sentences explaining how that verse impacts your life to info@creatingagreatday.com!
I am faithful in my daily prayer time, it’s a necessity and a beautiful gift. I come boldly before the throne, laying my request at His precious feet, trusting He will hear and answer it. Yet, even with faith from the numerous miracles He has poured over me, I still think I know best. I quickly want to take my request back, tell God how to take care of it and the time frame it needs to happen. He graciously allows me to take it back and to fail once again. Then I’m reminded to “be still” and “know that He is God.” And I’m grateful for the times He has done whatever necessary to stop me in my tracks.
~Beth G.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
We want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Send your favorite verse and 5-10 sentences explaining how that verse impacts your life to info@creatingagreatday.com!
My children spend hours playing and exploring our backyard. They frequently are covered from head-to-toe in mud from making “delicious” mud pies and from digging up muddy treasures.
had never attended an event like this before, so I wasn’t completely sure what the weekend would hold for me. I figured the event would be full of great speakers, and I assumed I would walk away learning something here and there. However, what I didn’t expect was to walk away feeling refreshed and renewed in my walk with God. 
